III
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 235
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 25, 2021
Mr. Bennet (for himself and Mr. Graham) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Designating May 15, 2021, as National MPS Awareness Day
.
Whereas mucopolysaccharidosis (referred to in this preamble as MPS
) are a group of genetically determined lysosomal storage diseases that render the human body incapable of producing certain enzymes needed to break down complex carbohydrates;
Whereas MPS diseases cause complex carbohydrates to be stored in almost every cell in the body, which progressively leads to cellular damage;
Whereas the cellular damage caused by MPS—
adversely affects the human body by damaging the heart, lungs, bones, central nervous system, and other internal organs; and
often results in intellectual disabilities, short stature, corneal damage, joint stiffness, loss of mobility, speech and hearing impairment, heart disease, hyperactivity, chronic respiratory problems, and, most painfully, a drastically shortened life span;
Whereas symptoms of MPS are usually not apparent at birth;
Whereas, without treatment, the life expectancy of an individual afflicted with MPS begins to decrease at a very early stage in the life of that individual;
Whereas research has resulted in the development of limited treatments for some MPS diseases;
Whereas, as of the date of adoption of this resolution, promising advancements in the pursuit of treatments for additional MPS diseases are underway;
Whereas, despite the creation of new remedies, the blood-brain barrier continues to be a significant impediment to effectively treating the brain, which prevents the treatment of many of the symptoms of MPS;
Whereas the quality of life of individuals afflicted with MPS and the treatments available to those individuals will be enhanced through the development of early detection and early intervention techniques;
Whereas treatments for and research advancements relating to MPS are limited by a lack of awareness about MPS diseases;
Whereas the lack of awareness about MPS diseases extends to individuals within the medical community;
Whereas the cellular damage caused by MPS makes MPS a model for the study of many other degenerative genetic diseases; and
Whereas the development of effective therapies and a potential cure for MPS diseases can be accomplished by increased awareness, research, data collection, and information distribution: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
designates May 15, 2021, as National MPS Awareness Day
; and
supports the goals and ideals of National MPS Awareness Day.